Rugby union fans, you're in for a delight! The Six Nations starts today!
Once again, rugby teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales will meet each other in the longest-running tournament in this sport.
The Six Nations lasts until 14 March. You can watch it live on the BBC and ITV. As for the betting side of things, keep reading as we've got some betting tips for the Six Nations and lots of bonuses to boot.
Six Nations Predictions and Betting Odds
France are the favourites at 1.67 to win the whole thing, with England 3.6, Ireland out at 7.0, Scotland one of two teams in double digits at 13.0, Wales a 56.0 shot and Italy even bigger, in three digits, at 156.0.
But why are France the favourites? For starters, they’re the defending champions, and they also won in 2022. They haven’t been outside the Top 2 in the previous six editions, making them by far the most consistent side in recent history.
They also have the greatest depth in terms of the squad and can field the strongest XV of all the teams. Injuries (and the odd suspension) will inevitably play their part in a tournament like this, so the ability to bring in other players in the squad who are almost as good as the players they’re replacing could make all the difference.
And the fixtures have been kind to them. England and Ireland are the next in the betting, and they get to play both of them at home, so if they manage to win those two matches on home soil, they’re about 80% there to win the whole thing.
Interestingly, though, both England (third) and Ireland (fourth) are above France (fifth) in the World Rugby rankings.
Is England Going to Win the Six Nations?
If all you’re focused on is having a winning bet on the team to take the Six Nations crown, then go with red-hot favourites France.
But the value bet at online sportsbooks is England at 3.6. They’re on a highly impressive winning streak, are excellent when playing at home in Twickenham, and are arguably the most physical side of all.
This could make a big difference in a winter tournament in tough conditions that could become a war of attrition.
England's 11-match winning streak includes beating the brilliant New Zealand side in that period, Australia and France. You’d have to go back to the opening match of last year’s tournament for the last time they lost, which was to Ireland.
Six Nations Betting Markets
Away from the winner market, France are 2.5 to do the Grand Slam (win all of their matches), with England 4.5.
At the other end of the scale, Wales are the 1.83 favourites to ‘win’ the wooden spoon, which relates to the team that finishes bottom of the pile. It’s curious that they’re at a shorter price than Italy (2.1), given that Italy is a higher price to win the Six Nations.
The top try scorer market sees Louis Bielle-Biarrey head the betting at 2.6, with Dan Sheehan at 5.0, while Immanuel Heyi-Waboso is at 6.5, the same price as Tommy Freeman.
Over on the Six Nations Player of the Tournament market, it’s no surprise to see France skipper Antoine Dupont installed as the 4.0 favourite; not only has he been considered the best player in the world for the past five years or so, but he’s been considered one of the best players ever to have played rugby.
Dan Sheehan and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are next, both at 6.5.
For the first time ever, the Six Nations will start on a Thursday rather than a Friday, as it has been for the last few years. Strangely, there’s no game on Friday.
So it’s France (odds of 1.13) against Ireland (5.5) on Thursday, followed by Italy (4.5) v Scotland (1.22) as the early game on Saturday.
It shows you the perceived gulf in quality between England and Wales these days that the former are just 1.03 to win the match, with Wales a huge price at 23.0.
If you want a far higher price on England, you can take the 1.91 that they win by 28 points or more on the handicap.
